Impact 6 - Threat to Tudor Governments

Question 1

If the number of rebels was larger than the government forces, this made the rebellion more threatening;

which rebellions could be described in this way?

Answer 1

• Cornish (1497)
• Amicable Grant (1525)
• POG (1536)
• Ketts (1549)
• Western (1549)
• Northern Earls (1569)

Question 2

Rebellions were more threatening if they acquired foreign support?

List the rebellions that could be described in this way?

Answer 2

• Simnel (1486) (Margaret of Burgundy supplied 2000 Mercenaries)
• Warbeck (1491-97) (Gained support in Ireland, Burgundy and Scotland)

Question 3

Rebellions with a broad aim to overthrow the monarch were highly threatening;

which rebellions had this aim?

Answer 3

Simnel (1486)
Warbeck (1497)
Lady Jane Grey (1553) 
Wyatt (1554)
Northern Earls (1569)
Essex (1601)

Question 4

Why was it important that London remained loyal to the Tudors throughout the period?

Answer 4

Rebellions that besieged or occupied - successfully or not - London were the most threatening.

Mary was able to rally the city against Wyatt and they didn’t support Northumberland’s claim.

If London had been more rebelliously inclined then the Tudor monarchy would likely have been a great deal more fragile.

Question 5

Why did the scale of many rebellion make them less of a threat?

Answer 5

Most rebellions rallied in the name of local issues and no intention of overthrowing the government, choosing instead to force a change in policy. In some cases - mainly when it came to tax - the government was willing to make concessions.

Question 6

Which two key groups did the government maintain the support of?

Answer 6

Generally speaking, the government maintained the support of the clergy and the nobility.

The clergy could preach against rebellion whilst having the nobility onside deprived most rebels of effective leadership.

Question 7

Why was the government more disadvantaged in Ireland than in England?

Answer 7

• The government lacked a large force in Ireland
• Irish nobles and clergy were often opposed to the government
• Irish rebels were adept at navigating the hostile terrain and used guerilla tactics unfamiliar to English commanders.